Everyday Hero Box Set

Seventh Inning Stretch-9

Friday after work, Matt caught a ride to the Diamond with Roxie. By the time they reached the field, the first game was already underway and Matt waited in line anxiously for a ticket. “I don’t know why we have to pay when we’re on one of the teams,” he grumbled, forking over a twenty.

Roxie elbowed him in the ribs. “It’s for charity, cheapskate. Can you spot me? I left my purse at the gym.”

Matt glared at her a moment, then slid a ten across the counter to the cashier, as well. “Wait,” he said, taking his tickets. “You drove. Where’s your license?”

“In my purse,” Roxie replied. She plucked her ticket from his hand before he could object. “As long as I don’t get stopped, it shouldn’t be a problem, no?”

“The way you drive?” Matt stepped quickly out of line to avoid another jab in the side.

They had great seats on the third base line, only a few rows back from the fence and close to one of the dugouts. As they hurried down the steps to their aisle, Matt studied the field, trying to figure out who was playing, but they were in the middle of an inning and the teams had just switched, which made it difficult for him to discern any names. A glance at the scoreboard showed it was the second inning—they hadn’t missed much. When they reached their seats, Matt leaned over to Roxie and asked, “Who’s playing?”

She gave him a long-suffering look. “You know as much as I do,” she snapped. “I just got here, too.”

The pitcher turned on the mound, tossing the ball to his basemen, and Matt caught sight of the red Y on the back of his white shirt. Which meant…”We are,” he said, excited. “Our guys are up to bat.”

Around them, the crowd cheered, calling out as the first batter came out of the dugout near Matt’s seats. He recognized Doug easily from the gym. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his mind as he searched for Vic’s. Their thoughts zeroed in on each others’, then locked into place. ::Hey,:: Matt thought, giving Vic a mental hug. ::We made it.::

For a brief second, he saw the park from Vic’s perspective as his lover scanned the seats. ::Where are you two sitting?::

Matt opened his eyes and sent Vic a mental image of what he could see. ::Behind you, I think.::

Suddenly Vic’s bald head peeked from around the side of the dugout. He glanced up, past Matt, who waved wildly to catch his attention. “Right here,” he said.

Roxie shot him a strange look. “Who are you talking to?”

Matt pointed at the dugout. “Vic!”

Now Roxie noticed him, too, and she started to wave. “Vic!” she shouted. “Over here!”

Vic saw them and grinned.

As he ducked back into the dugout, Matt asked him, ::Are you up next?::

::No,:: Vic admitted. ::I’m sort of like the last resort. A big guy like me doesn’t move all that fast—::

::I don’t know,:: Matt said. ::I’ve seen you move pretty quick when you want to. You just need the right incentive. Should I stand naked on first base? Would that help?::

He felt Vic’s laugh deep in his bones, and grinned at the warmth that embraced him. ::It might. In practice I can never make it to first in time unless I hit a homer.::

Matt imagined that wasn’t a hard task for Vic, given his super strength. ::So they’re just keeping you on the bench?:: he asked, incredulous. ::Damn, is it too late to switch you to my team? Because I’m thinking every ball you hit probably goes out of the field. Hitting a homer for you is like breathing, isn’t it? I’d have you up to bat every single inning.::

::Our strategy’s a bit more subtle,:: Vic admitted. ::Doug wants the bases loaded before I come out. That way we get four runs instead of just one. Why am I telling you this? We’re not on the same team.::

::Same gym,:: Matt pointed out. ::Same difference. It’s not like we’re facing off against each other yet.:: After a moment, he added, ::I still like the idea of standing naked on the base while you run at me. I promise not to move if you promise to tackle.::

Another laugh rumbled through him. ::You’re mixing your sports, Matty. That’s football.::

::I’d score a touchdown on your tight end any day,:: Matt joked.

He could almost see the wry grin on his lover’s face. ::You say the cheesiest things when you’re horny, do you know that?::

“Yeah, well,” Matt muttered, “I need to get laid.”

When Roxie frowned over at him, Matt felt his cheeks heat up. Had he said that out loud?